NationStates Jolt Archive

It was a dark, cloudless night in New York City. Well, as dark as it ever got in New York. The lack of sunlight was never a problem in the city that never slept. It was also the city that never shut up, as people talked in the streets, cars blew their horns to show their annoyance at the traffic jams. There were also sporadic sirens from within the concrete jungle. The buildings were tall and imposing, the skyscrapers looked down in scorn on a world which was below them. It was an imposing place at the best of times.

However, on the island of Manhatten, in an area not considered industrial in the slightest, there was based a company known as Primitech Paper, a place where local people could come and get off the streets if even for a few hours. The building was small and unassuming, holding no more than a few dozen people and manufacturing little things such as printing paper and notepads. However, Primitech Paper had another purpose in this city. It was also the location of a Company known simply as the Company. It's purpose was simple, to find and watch beings of extraordinary power. It was to find them, test them, then deliver one of three verdicts. One verdict was those too dangerous to keep alive, they were killed instantly, another was to tag them like animals then let them loose into their lives to be watched like birds roosting.

The third option was to take the Individual and recruit them into the Company to serve as Agents, to work for the protection of mankind against those who saw fit to abuse their powers.

That was what Ellie Mitchell was doing now. She stood outside in the cold winter's night, watching as her breath misted in front of her, seeing the ships drift lazily out into the empty atlantic ocean. She wondered for a moment if any of them where heading to her home city of London. Then she stopped, as she always did, for it was always too painful to think about it. She rubbed her hands together eagerly, thinking of what was beneath her, deep in the Company's vaults. For the moment, that threat was locked up and safe, but who knew what waited out there for them.

OOC: Basically, this is the intro to the 'Heroes' RP, there's little to work from here I know but I can't really build a plot until all characters have regestered their presence.
I've been bugged for this thread for a few days, so here it is :p

As Nyx huddle in a corner of the New York City library, he glanced around making sure that no one was in the immediate area. He glanced at the computer he was working on. The New York Stock Exchange.
The Perfect target he thought...

Max sat in his apartment in New York. He looked out of the window, watching flashing lights go by below him. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and a blue flame appeared around his hand, lighting his cigarette. He sat back and blew smoke up to the ceiling

OOC: You know the Mods might close this, as it's not strictly anything to do with NS. That's what happened to Kulikovia's first attempt

ooc: I beg to differ, after all half of the charicters are from NSnations.
Not to mention loads of threads about heros and villans have been done, including a sucessful series by Void Templar...

IC: Smith was enjoying himslef tonight. He had just saved 3 people in a car crash and a cat from upa tree and now he was sat ontop of a skyscraper smokeing a cigar. Well, more of a rather high office block really, but hell, this was new york, who cares.

Smith certainly didn't care, at least untill he heared another siren...
"Hasn't any one here heard of sleep? Give me Texas any day" he muttered to himself, jumping off the rooftop and onto another one about 10ft bellow him.

Proceeding in this fashion Smith began to aproach the source of the sirens, a shoot out at a grocery store, and subsiquently the water front. He was quite lost in his own thaughts. Thaughts such as "I want cake" and "sleeeeeeeeeeep!!"

So distracted was he that he failed to notice the fairly large gap between two buildings and, in a cartoony kind of way time seemed to slow down enugh for him to turn to face an imaginery camera and say "Uh-oh" before plumiting to the ground not so far bellow by this time.

Actuly he didn't hit the ground first, he hit the edge of the roof, 3 levels of a fire escape and finaly the ground, landing with a thud next to a woman looking out at the sea.
He lay still for a moment before twitching and straightening himslef up, cracking as he tries to stand. Groaning he stands up and looks around, takeing in the sighn on the building he had just missed that identifyed it as Primitech Paper and a young, blond woman.

"Hi there. Your probably wondering why a seemingly dead man with clown makeup on is talking to you, right?"

ooc: I beg to differ, after all half of the charicters are from NSnations.
Not to mention loads of threads about heros and villans have been done, including a sucessful series by Void Templar...


OOC: True, but this is set in New York, which is what Kulikovia attempted to do. But the mods still closed that one down.

Proceeding in this fashion Smith began to aproach the source of the sirens, a shoot out at a grocery store, and subsiquently the water front. He was quite lost in his own thaughts. Thaughts such as "I want cake" and "sleeeeeeeeeeep!!"


OOC: The cake is a lie :p

Max headed downstairs and out into the cold morning air of Manhattan island. He stood at the side of the road, and hailed a cab. Getting in, he spoke to the driver

"Sixth Avenue" he said, and the cab pulled away into the busy city street

The red rubber ball bounced off the wall onto the ground, bouncing back up into a delicate female hand. This sequence moved in perfect rhythmn again and again. Like a music tempo. Adding to this beat was a light and fragile humming. No recognizeable song, just something she made up as it went along. A slight smile tip toed across her face as the rythmn of the ball bouncing and her humming synced together and in her mind, made a nice little melody.

The room was very plain, white walls, a large one way mirror that took up a substansial part of the opposite wall. A spring bed with a tattered mattress and blankets. There was a plain metallic desk with a chair and an attached lamp. a toilet with a low wall for some privacy and a tiny locker. This was her world. All 12ftX12ft of it. This is what she's know for the past thirteen years. Highly regimented, meticulous, and predictable. Three meals a day, three visitations from three different people in white lab coats. Then, there was the occasional visit from a man. An ordinary looking man with short salt and pepper hair. His suits were plain, his demeanour was plain. Of course, she knew it was all a disguise. He wore masks just like she did.

Behind that blank face that occasionally contorted into a smile was something more. He had an expert poker face. But one professional to another, this didn't matter. They could read each other. He was a man she held in a love/hate status. She'd come to respect him, his talent for deception and double talk. In the same breath that's what makes her want to tear him from limb to limb, only if she could now. For thirteen years she lived in this building.

She still remembered the day he came. It was a frigid night in Jonensberg, Kulikovia; her home. She'd done something horrible and he knew it. No one else did, just this man.

"We know what really happened" he said, "You don't know me but I know you very well. You have a special gift"

She was frightened, he knew so much. Almost as if he were there when it happened. This man was skilled, very much so. There was no point in lying, she could sense his fortitude and knowledge. None of her masks could decieve this man.

Years later he'd occasionally visit for evaluations. They deamed her too dangerous, too unstable. They stole her away into the night, never to see her family or home again.

"You are going to stay here for a period of time left to be determined" He said after they ran a few tests. She couldn't resist somehow. Something was preventing her from resisting. It numbed that sense, "You will remain here for mental, physical, and psychological evaluations until it is determined you are fit to rejoin society. As of now though, in my opinion you are too dangerous. This danger will remain until we can get to your core mental state and help you control your powers."

She protested, but none of it mattered. Their minds were already set on keeping here indefinitely...

Now, all those years later, she lulled into a sense of business as usual attitude. The ball bounced, she hummed, life went on without her. suddenly, the door opened and she caught the ball. It was the man.

"Hello, Ashira; how are we doing today?" He asked, carring a manila folder tucked under his left arm, a coffee mug in the right hand.

"Dandy as ever, Mr.Hastings" Ashira smiled, "What do you have there?"

"Just some files" He replied, taking a seat in the chair, "Just had some time to kill and wanted to see how you are doing"

"Nothing much here. I made a house of cards earlier" Ashira replied, knowing full well that he didn't really care. He'd seen what she was capable of first hand. These formalities were all a game, like chess. He made his move cautiously and carefully. she bided her time, thoughtful.

"Really?" he took a sip of coffee. Hazelnut blend was his favorite, "Did you take your pill today?"

"Everyday" Ashira cocked her head to the side, smiling still. she knew he hated it when she smiled. It was a mask, he favorite one. It was blatant in its' message. Because she let him see in that smile, all her packed in anger and untapped hatred. It was an uncomfortable smile to see, forcing you to look away or clear your throat.

"That's good" Hastings said, adjusting his tie, "I have you last evaluation report, would you care to look at it?"

"Why?" Ashira asked, "There's no point in reading it. I already know what that file says" she pointed at the harmless file on the desk.

"It wouldn't hurt to-"

"It says that 'Ashira Dryden, after dueful consideration and evaluation is hereby denied based on the recommendations of her case officer early release from Company custody. The next possible evaluation report will be completed at a date yet determined. Further examination and evaluation will continue as normal'. That's what it says" Ashira red it off the top of her head, having memorized that specific blurbage word for word over the years.

Hastings rapped his fingers off the folder and looked up at her, "That's right, Ashira. That's waht this file says"

"You'll never let me out of here" She leaned forward.

Hastings leaned in as well, lowering his tone, "Not as long as I'm around". He stood up, gathered the file, and walked out of the room and the automatic lock buzzed behind him as the door closed.

She simply began bouncing the ball off the wall and continued humming.

====================

Hastings walked down the hallway and turned the file back into the Records Department. Most of the staff was gone for the night. mainly just security remained. He sighed as he tucked it away in ashira's extensive file. She was right, he'd never allow her to be free. They both knew how dangerous she still is. The medication may hinder her abilities, but not her crooked spirit.

He stepped outside to get some air. The cold shocked his senses as the door opened and that initial blast of air hit his face. There, he saw Ellie Mitchell watching the ships.

"Isn't it kinda funny?" He asked, "Watching the whole world go on ignorantly while there's more that they don't see. I just visited Ashira in Level Five. Everytime I look into those eyes, I just see something ugly. I made my recommendation to the Committee yesterday that she be denied release"

"Hello? HELLO!?" Smith shouted, bouncing around on the balls of his feet " Man I'v seen some slow people in my time but this is just wierd" his neck was still at an unnatural angle but even as he moved it was moveing back into place and his teeth were 'sealing' themselves back into his gums

Max jumped out of the cab on Sixth Avenue. It was a busy morning in New York. Of course, this was nothing new - NYC was always busy, whatever time of day it was. He shook his head as he headed into the car park. As he decended down to a lower level, he could see a man standing by a car, covered up by a cloth. He headed down to him

"Morning Wilson" he said as he got closer

"Morning sir, how was your trip to Ustio?" replied the man

"Oh, uneventful" said Max, now standing before him "Is it ready?"

"It is" said Wilson, producing a key fob from his pocket. He handed it to Max, then removed the cloth with a flourish. Max took the keys from him and handed him a roll of notes. Wilson pocketed them

"Good day sir" he said as he turned and walked away

Hawk had been walking down the water front admiring the view. it had been a long time since he'd been to new york. A very long time indeed. For one thing the last time he'd been here there hadn't been a new york at all, but despite the ugliness of cities in general, Hawk rather liked the seaside view.
He wasn't actually doing anything at the moment, just relaxing, enjoying being unemployed again and consistently keeping up o his close combat and archery classes. Unfortunately his teacher was talking about him going to the Olympics again and he really really couldn't afford that kind of publicity so he'd probably have to find someone else, again.
Hawk Snapped out of his revelry when he heard a sickening crunch a couple of streets down. Out of interest, he ran down the street and turned the corner to see, I dead clown. Or, at least, a clown that definitely should have been dead.
"what happend to you?" Asked Hawk calmly

"Isn't it kinda funny?" He asked, "Watching the whole world go on ignorantly while there's more that they don't see. I just visited Ashira in Level Five. Everytime I look into those eyes, I just see something ugly. I made my recommendation to the Committee yesterday that she be denied release"

"You did the right thing Hastings," Ellie said without turning to look at him. She was still watching the ships move in and out lazily from the port of New York. There were vessels of every shape and size, every type and nationality was here in New York, the hub of the east, she liked to think of it as.
Her blond hair was being gently blown about in the slightly breeze that had kicked up along the waterfront. Ellie had been in the Company nearly all of her life, helping to protect the people who couldn't protect themselves.

"She's still not ready to be released into Society yet. She would be endangering too much, then we would not be doing our job" She heard the talk about faces and laughed internally at it. If anyone was a master of faces then it was Hastings. He could hide nearly everything behind them and, though he did it less so with her, the Brit often worried that he knew more about her life than she did. She had just...wandered.

"You gonna head home?" She asked somewhat bitterly, still looking out over the smooth, black water that stretched out as far as she could see, that she could ever wish to see. She liked water. She always had, it was a part of her. The question hung in the air, for Ellie had no home apart from the Company. It was her life.

"Yeah, I'm going to head home. Gloria is trying some new recipe tonight and wants me to be a part of her culinary triumph" Hastings replied, "Which reminds me, I need to get some Tums from the store before I go home"

Hastings wife Gloria and two children, Nathan and Hannah lived in a blissful ignorance as to the true nature of his work. They believe she's just a mild-mannered sales representative for Primatech. He'd work with the company for over ten years, being a senior agent. These faces he portrayed were a neccesary part of his day to day life. If what they really did was ever exposed, the fallout would be unimagineable. He locked away numerous people who were too dangerous to be left to their own devices. Even in one instance, he had to make the crucial choice to eliminate one. Those things stay with a man. He often admitted that he had some things in common with Ashira. They both wore masks. Though, he feared her capabilities, having seen the end result of her powers. It was a gruesome sight, as well as witnessing it personally. That incident is what fortifide his resolve to make sure she never saw the light of day. He was asked during one evaluation by the committee if he recommended "Canceling the threat".

It took a few minutes of thoughtful consideration to determine that he would say no. Sometimes he wondered what would have happened if he changed his mind. Now, that ruling is too late. The looming idea of what would happen if she got loose and regained her powers was a constant pang in his mind.

"What are you going to do?" Hastings asked, "We don't have any case files to investigate right now"

"what happend to you?"

"I got hit by a rocket." there was a brief pause as Smiths ribs set properly "Nah, i actuly fell from all the way up there, it want fun. Also this charming lady seems to be going deaf and i can't seem to find anything wrong with her... Ah well, must be off, ta!" Smith turned to walk away, his arm finaly cliking back into place.

"Yeah, I'm going to head home. Gloria is trying some new recipe tonight and wants me to be a part of her culinary triumph" Hastings replied, "Which reminds me, I need to get some Tums from the store before I go home"

"That sounds nice," Ellie replied with any real heart behind the statment. She'd met both Gloria and the Hastings Kids and she thought they were alright. She hadn't seen them in months now, she could never really bear to see Hastings with his family, it brought out such a jealous streak in her that she had to turn away before she did something she would regret. Ellie couldn't even remember what her parents had looked like. She couldn't remember the life she had had before...no...she couldn't think that like. She had to be strong. For their memory if nothing else.

Ellie still hadn't turned around, preferring to look out over the water rather than face her Comrade. She had partnered him many times on his assignments, acting as his back-up and Guardian when things got too intense for even Hastings to handle. She had done well, an early discovery of her powers had allowed her to develop them to extraordinary levels. She liked to think of herself as the Guardian of the Company. She watched and dared anyone to try and break from it, or try to break into it. However. she knew it was just a fantasy. There were some things out there that she could not face. That was why she carried a gun with her at all times as well.

She glanced at the railing on which she was leaning saw that it was wet, mist beginning to condense on the even colder metal. She lazily put a hand over it and watched as the water drops formed themselves into a small twisting slide of water, it was only a few centremeters tall, but she enjoyed it none the less.

She was still concentrating on it when Hastings asked her a question,
"I dunno," was her careless reply, "I might just look over some old files, reaquint myself with some old friends."

Max sat in the car, flicking through some files. He rubbed the back of his neck, and then turned a page. He knew he could rely on Wilson - ever resourceful, if a bit pricey - to get him what he needed. Soon, revenge would surely be on the table. He put them down and started the engine. The roar of the engine echoed around the car park, and he drove out.

"I got hit by a rocket." there was a brief pause as Smiths ribs set properly "Nah, i actuly fell from all the way up there, it want fun. Also this charming lady seems to be going deaf and i can't seem to find anything wrong with her... Ah well, must be off, ta!" Smith turned to walk away, his arm finaly cliking back into place.

Owain reached out and took his arm. "uh huh? so how, exactly, did you survive that one?"

Tagged for post.

Owain reached out and took his arm. "uh huh? so how, exactly, did you survive that one?"

"Hmmm? You mean you haven't heard of me? Well I supose thats the point of this gear... I sir, am Mr Smith and I have been blessed by Kal. He helps me and I help others. Im suprised you haven't heard of me, most people have"
OOC: Thats how Smith thinks he got his powers. I think theres actuly a heros charicter that atributes his powers to god

"Hmmm? You mean you haven't heard of me? Well I supose thats the point of this gear... I sir, am Mr Smith and I have been blessed by Kal. He helps me and I help others. Im suprised you haven't heard of me, most people have"
OOC: Thats how Smith thinks he got his powers. I think theres actuly a heros charicter that atributes his powers to god

OOC: Yeah, it's Nathan Petrelli, the flying man - but he's wrong...

ooc: I know, i tyhink Mohinder actuly finds out what causes it... however my charicter could still belive that...

"Hmmm? You mean you haven't heard of me? Well I supose thats the point of this gear... I sir, am Mr Smith and I have been blessed by Kal. He helps me and I help others. Im suprised you haven't heard of me, most people have"
OOC: Thats how Smith thinks he got his powers. I think theres actuly a heros charicter that atributes his powers to god

"never," Said Hawk "good . . . to . . . know . .. "
Hawk turned around slowly and walked away thinking to himself Thats guys absolutely insane. Interesting though, Looks like I'm not the only one.

ooc: I know, i tyhink Mohinder actuly finds out what causes it... however my charicter could still belive that...

OOC: I was going to say, but i'm guessing you haven't seen the episode where it is revealed so i won't spoil it for you.

Max drove through the streets of Manhattan. It was busier now than it was earlier, and he was constantly stuck in traffic jams. As his car slowed to a standstill at yet another set of lights, he looked sideways into an alleyway to see some people. He thought he recognised one of them from the files, but hadn't time to check as he'd be holding up the traffic.

He always tried to make a pattern to relieve the repetive boredom of his routine. Walking to and from the great grey office where he worked, writing out four-and-a-half million random, pointless forms a day before shredding them, he'd play little games in his head. Whether it was step on/avoid all cracks or tapping out a song with his steps (today it was Never Gonna Give You Up), it always helped.

Today, however, was a good day. He didn't have to Work today. His alarm still rang at 12 (he worked the night shift), yes, and he still got up, fed his chinchilla and did his normal morning routine, but after leaving his house at exactly 6pm, he just wandered around. He stopped outside a building, after wandering around for god knows how long, because he saw a man fall from a roof. He turned on his heel and stalked over to the man.
"That looked rather painful." He made his friendly face, grinning wildly and bouncing up and down on his feet.

"It was. I get used to it. Have to say it's nice to get some attention some times, that girl just ignored me completly. Even nicer to see a friendly face, most people run off when they see the gifts kal has bestowed to me."

Gregori statred out of his window, looking east, over the water, toward the rising sun. His hands tightened on the wooden rail that ran the length of the window.

"Why," He moaned "why did they abandon me? All those years ago, things were different!"

He sank to his knees, his face set, staring still out across the water. He grabbed a tattered tome from the shelf to his left. Hugging it to his chest, he stroked the long, dark stain running across it's cover.

"You started it! It was you! All you!" He roared, holding the book infront of him. "I would still be home if it wasn't for you!"

With that, he threw the book back, into the dark depths of his apartment. He stood up, slowly. Obsessivley, he smoothed out the wrinkles in his pants. He ran a hand through his long, black hair, smoothing it back, out of his eyes.

It was at that moment, that he saw, out of the corner of his eye, something flash by the corner of the window. He turned his head, his glaring green eyes darting around, searching for the source of the disturbance. He walked over to the corner of his window, and surveyed the scene before him. On the sidewalk, 30 floors below, lay a man. Beside him, stood a women, strangely unaware of the man, who had apparantly fallen quite a long distance. Down the street, he saw that another man had too noticed the fall, and he was hastening toward the corner where the man had landed.

Now again, Gregori looked down at the man on the sidewalk, only to see that he was no longer on the sidewalk at all. The man had stood up, albeit shakingly, and adressed the woman, who strangely, continued to ignore him.

"Interesting," thought Gregori, as he walked out of his library, to the main hall, grabbing his coat and hat along the way, for the sun had not time enough to warm the air, and the chill of the winter night still lingered. "exceedingly interesting. Another perhaps? With abilities like the ones before?"

"It was. I get used to it. Have to say it's nice to get some attention some times, that girl just ignored me completly. Even nicer to see a friendly face, most people run off when they see the gifts kal has bestowed to me."

"Oh, I'd very much doubt I'm friendly." He chuckled. "Perhaps indifferent at best. Also-" His eyes narrowed. "Swyly ez fa qou uail xdyzzyk. Nod woz fa tyofefr ef swez dofk, Kyosw Dajyl. I should tear out you tounge. But I won't!" He smiled, and took a small carton out from his coat pocket. "Orange juice?"

"I'd looooove some!" said Gregori as he rounded the corner, elongating the "o" in love, as he often did with vowels in important words in a sentence. As he said this, he looked over the two men, quickly sizing them up. The one that had fallen, the one wearing makeup as if he was a clown, was barely scratched.

"Regenerating," thought Gregori, "thats a new one."

"I'd looooove some!" said Gregori as he rounded the corner, elongating the "o" in love, as he often did with vowels in important words in a sentence. As he said this, he looked over the two men, quickly sizing them up. The one that had fallen, the one wearing makeup as if he was a clown, was barely scratched.

"Regenerating," thought Gregori, "thats a new one."

Dominic tossed the carton over to the new arrival, before taking another carton out of the same pocket. "Never leave home without it." He tried in vain to pierce the carton with the straw, before tossing it over his shoulder. "I hate those things." He stared at Gregori for a moment, before nodding and chuckling. "So, your like a walkin' talkin' Duracell, huh?"

"Quite," replied Gregori, opening the carton and taking a sip, "though how, might I ask, have you heard of me? I was under the impression that I had kept my identity secret all these years. However, in retrospect, I guess that, having watched all of you for quite some time, it is only reasonable to assume that you have heard of me.

"Or is it that you sense my power? Yes, can I tell. I see it in your eyes. A slight reflection. What does mine look like? I've always wanted to know."

"You?" Smith ventured picking up the discarded orance carton and ripping the top off it, spilling most of the contents "Here ya go sonny" he said handing it back to Dominc and glancing at the woman "I get a cold feeling from her.. or maybe its the sea breeze. Either way I'm outa here, she was just having some wierd ass conversation with some guy... freaks me out fer sure.."

Meanwhile...

Ashira set down the rubber ball and cracked her neck. It was getting late and she knew their routines by heart. At exactly 6:00pm, one of the nurses will come in with her evening meal. Janet was the usual woman's name. A pleasant demeanoured woman, probably in her forties. They'd chat for a few minutes and then she wouldn't see her again until tomorrow.

Just like clockwork, the door buzzed and slowly cracked open. Janet had medium red hair and homely blue eyes, "Hello Ashira, how are we doing today?"

"Peachy as usual, Janet" Ashira smiled, sitting up in her cot. Janet set down the tray on the table. Tonight it wa salisbury steak, mash potatoes, fuit cup, and a delicious pill.

"Here you go" Janet smiled and clapped her hands together, "You know the routine, come on"

Ashira stood up and grasped the small cup that had two blue pills. She brought it up to her mouth and swallowed the pills. The Company produced these themselves. They were inhibitors, made from a combination of compounds that are used to suppress her abilities. They affect a part of her brain and her adrenal glands that stunt the powers. When they first brought her in, they had to put her in a comma for a certain amount of time and pump the drug in a liquid for in her IV. If not, then she would've killed them all and escaped. Now, there's such a high concentration that she doubted if her powers could work anymore. These pills are mandatory and failre results in punishment, very unpleasant punishment.

"That's my girl" Janet replied.

"How's the kids?" Ashira inquired, setting down the cup and settling in for a delicious meal of soggy mush and card board.

"Oh, Ben was accepted to NYU" janet brightened up, "And Claire is about to finish her Junior year, they're both doing so well. I'm ver proud of them"

"That's nice to hear, and Bill?"

Janet looked down, "Oh, he's alright-I guess. The Doctor said they still need to run some tests but he's frisky as ever" her face softened up.

Ashira leaned in and placed a hand on janet's, another one of her masks slid on, "I'll hope for the best, that's all any of us can do"

"That is so nice of you, thanks Ashira" Janet replied, "Oh, I have to get going. See you tomorrow, good night" she stood up and left the room. Ashira waved slowly goodbye and waited for the door to lock.

Ashira stood up and walked over to the sink, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Suddenly, she began dry heaving. Contracting her stomach muscles, gagging. Finally, she cocked her head into the sink and regurgitated the two pills and washed them down the drain with water. She exhaled ehavily and looked back up in the mirror. That's two weeks drug free.

Ellie walked through the empty corridors of the Company's vaults alone. Above ground was a normal building, a place filled with paper of all shapes and colours, more paper than she could ever find to do with, even if she was planning to just shred it. Security cameras were watching this entire area, and the cameras were being watched by men in secret rooms. The idea being to monitor everyone who entered Primatech Paper. It was not this part of the building that she was interested in.

The part that she was interested in were the five levels beneath ground. Prisons. Designed to hold the kind of scum that could not be released back into society without trying to destroy it, the kind of people that she was here to protect the world against. She hated them with a passion. She'd hated them all her life.
She came to the bottom of the facility. The fifth floor, the worst of the worst. She came to a halt in front of Ashira's cell and looked in at the girl, younger than herself. She pushed a strand of her blond hair out of her way as she watched.
There were others on the floor that she supposed she should watch but there was no way she was going further down the hallway. Even her courage failed her there. She wouldn't go near that cell.

Ashira had finished her meal the best she could. The food was horrible, had been for years and will continue to be horrible. She often wondered it all the prisoners got the ame bad food or Adam Hastings asked to have only hers be made like that. She stood up and took the tray to a little slot, just big enough for the tray to fit through. Good riddance. Now, there wans't much left to do. Doodling, reading, loathing, and sleeping was about it. Hastings won't let her have a tv and even the books are limited. Of course, she could have all the paper she wanted, a nice little joke on his part. Even she had to laugh at that occasionally.

As the tray slid through the slot, she could see a patch of color that was different from the color of the opposite wall, someone was watching her through the window. There was only one person who roamed these halls, this late at night.

"No hot date tonight, Ellie?" Ashira asked, standing back up, just a few inches from the window.

"Had to turn it down," Ellie replied, staring into Ashira's eyes with a kind of deep loathing that was matched only by that of Ashira herself, "Told him I was looking after some Pests."
The English Girl turned on the light so she could take in every detail of the girl. She didn't look that threatening true, but appearances could be decieving, look at Ellie herself for example. There were those out there who would try to take advantage of her and end up dead as a result. There were some on this floor that she truly despised and there were some that she had grown quite attached to, Ashira was one of those, though she would never let her know about it.
"You were turned down for parole again." It was not a question but a statement. However, there was no malice in this, for Ellie remembered what it was like to be trapped in the small box, waiting day after day to hear about parole, your only chance of freedom lying in the hands of the man on the other side of the wall, feeling so helpless and trapped.

"Neither of us have much of a social life" Ashira laughed slightly. She knew exactly that Ellie didn't get out much, even if she wasn't behind bars anymore. She was a workaholic to the truest form, "All work and no play makes Ellie a dull girl" she mused.

Ashira remembered, being transported once after her first incident at The Company. She severly injured her interviewer who made a comment that didn't benefit her in the least. It was Ashira's first chance at release. She wore the right mask but the lady's comment ruined that all and cooler heads did not prevail, instead, she broke free and attacked the woman with a pen sitting carelessly on the table. It took three guards to pry her from this woman. That pretty much secured her stay at The Company. Upon being transfered from Level Two to level Five, the highest level of confinement, she remembered seeing Ellie for the first time, a scared girl being led to an interview room by none other than Hastings.

"I wasn't turned down. Being turned down means that there was a slither of chance that I'd be released. I never had a shot. We both know I'll never leave here. You're one of the few people to be released." Ashira replied, "Hastings knows that if I got out that I'd kill his whole family" her tone was casual, as if talking about the weather or what's on the tv tomorrow.

"I'm sure you think I am a monster for saying something like that. Of course, I'm not going to lie to you. We've been in the same boat"

"We have been in the same boat," Ellie emphasised the past tense of the word, "We have. I managed to move on, Ashira, I managed to get over it. You can't," the blond shook her head, "We did help each other once we were inside, but I adapted, I can see what I did and I can live with it,"
'Well, I can try' She thought to herself.
She looked sadly back in at the girl detained,
"If you're going to be honest, then I am too," Ellie sighed, "I'm glad you're in here, rather than out there. As you rightly said, you can't be trusted in society. Not yet anyway."

"Hastings saw what I did, what I was capable of" Ashira said, keeping a cool face, "That's why I'll never leave, because of Hastings. He's done everything in his power to make sure my stay here is Hell."

She sat Indian style on the cot, adjusting herself, "I can see what I did and live with it too. I am what I am-a killer" Some said that the first step to recovery was admitting you ahve a problem. She didn't see it as a problem, she had killed and destroyed. This is what she was. After years of contemplation, denial, self-loathing; finally came acceptance. There was no hiding the truth. Complete honestly is that she felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she finally accepted herself. Now, there was no lying to herself, just lying to others. Hastings matched her in every way. Checked her time and again. There was no leaving.

She nodded at Ellie's last statement, respecting the honesty, "I'm glad you're out"

Ellie sighed when she heard Ashira's tirade, it was one she had heard hundreds of times before. Things were like they were for a reason. Hastings had done this a thousand times, to a thousand different people. Ashira felt she had been singled out and Ellie supposed she had been. According to Hastings, her powers were too powerful to be unleashed on the world, though the London girl was unsure. She hated to see an Friend cooped up like so,
She smiled gently at the statement from Ashira,
"I'm glad I'm out," She laughed, "Food still as wonderful as ever?" She asked gently.

Meanwhile, further down the block, something in the shadows stirred.

"It never fails to satisfy my palate" Ashira replied. These visits were infrequent but nonetheless interesting. They shared an unusual relationship. They were friends but at the same time, there was a tension, a near simultaneous hatred. Ellie had become a Golden Girl for The Company, a loyal dog to Hastings and the others. The Company was not what it seemed. Its' layers of deception were numerous, like an onion. There was Primatech Paper, the front for The Compay. The Company even lied to its' own people. They lock away dangerous people and help others control their powers. But at the same time they kidnap, examine, and tag others. They monitor them like lab rats. Their labs work to find a permenant "cure" as if what Ashira and Ellie had ws a sickness. It was a gift in her eyes. She embraced her ability and missed it dearly. Of course, unbeknownst to anyone else, she stopped taking her medicine. Just a few more weeks, possibly days, and she'll have it back and what she's been living for will be fullfilled.

"Maybe you should check to see if our friend down the hall has had his delicious meal yet" Ashira grinned, "Tell me, Ellie; why don't you ever go down there. I'm sure our friend is lonely and would like to talk"

"I'm thought it would be as satisying as ever." Ellie stated drily.
She liked Ashira but at the same time she hated her. It was a complicated relationship. She didn't know what it was but there was something about her that the girl that she had just grown attached to. She would be a great asset to the Company, and to society, if she just put her petty hatred out of the way and tried to get on with her life.
As for their relationship, Ellie had once been in Ashira's position, afraid and angry at the world around her, angry at being cooped up like an animal, prodded like a rat. She hated it and, for a long time, she dreamt of ripping Hastings limb from limb, drowning him and his family like a rat. But she had adapted, she had, finally, understood that she had to work with Hastings to get at those who had really hurt her, those who had ruined her life. Ashira just needed time.
"Why don't I go down there?" She asked, caught off-guard by the question, then shuddered, "If you knew who was down there..."
She interrupted herself as she looked down the hallway and caught sight of someone else. She was unnerved, she hadn't seen anyone else come in,
"Hey!" She called, instinctively pulling her pistol from it's underarm holster, "Hey, yo..."
She was cut off as the figure vanished. Ellie lowered her gun in suprise, however, as she took a step forward, the man jumped from the shadows behind her and threw her hard against the glass of Ashira's cell. Ellie slid down the glass, out cold.

The man, a hardened thug by the looks of him, picked up her pistol, kicked the unconcious girl in the stomach, and, without looking at Ashira headed down the corridor.

Ashira shot up from the cot and ran to the glass window. It happened so quick, a sudden erruption of action taking her by suprise. Before Ellie could get a round off, this mysterious man knocked her out, throwing her hard against the glass. Due to its' strength the glass was unphased. The man didn't even look at her. She saw her opportunity walking casually away.

"Hey!!" Ashira shouted, smacking her hands against the glass, desperate to get his attention, "Hey, can I get a hand?!"

This was very unexpected but one mustn't look a gifted horse in the mouth. He was her only way out, there was no point waiting for her powers to regain. So, she desperately tried to get his attention, hoping he'd stop.

The man turned to face her, a hardened criminal with a long scar across his cheek and a total lack of hair. He looked at her and, with a casual movement that signified that he didn't really care one way or the other, he aimed the gun at the door to her cell and fired. One blast blew away the lock to the door and it swung open. He threw the gun at Ashira, then pointed at the prone Ellie, who was groaning slightly,
"Get her," He growled, then drew a finger across his throat to signal what he wanted her to do.
He then moved down the block of cells to the one at the very end. The one that meant to be empty. The cell that was totally silent.

Alexis Hanson walked along the sidewalk in the middle of Times Square. She had arrived in New York from the Holy Imperium of Angenteria a few weeks ago, but the amazement from seeing the legendary Times Square had already faded. Anticus Square back home wasn't that much different. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people walked these streets at any given moment of the day, and certainly was the hub of New York city.

She looked up, and squinted in the sunlight. It was late morning, and she could feel the chill of the wind through her clothing. She checked the time on her cell phone, and decided it was time for lunch. Spotting a local restaurant on the side, she stepped through the doors, and took a seat.

Max pulled up in Times Square. Heading out of his car, he began to walk down the street. He'd only walked a few steps when his mobile phone started ringing. He picked it up

"Hello?" he said into the phone

"Yeah man, it's Eddy" came the reply

"Ah, Eddy - You got what I asked for?" asked Max

"Yeah, meet me in that restaurant in Times Square in thirty minutes" replied Eddy, before hanging up

Max put his phone away, and turned to the side

How Convienient he thought, as he pushed the door open on his way in

Ashira palmed the gun awkwardly, having never held one before. This man seemed on a mission, he appeared to be a hardened individual of low morals and willing to do whatever it took to accomplish his goal. At first she believed he'd kill her or just leave her in that cell. He hardly looked at her and his voice rang with conviction and finality on Ellie's fate. Ashira looked down at Ellie who was barely conscience. This mystery man had gotten her good. Now, came a choice. In her hand was an instrument to exact death upon this woman, Ellie. On one hand, killing Ellie would give a sense of satisfaction, a fulfillment of desired revenge. One the other hand, they shared alot together and in her mind, the world would be a lesser place. Ellie was her foil. Without an opposite, how can the balance be maintained?

So, Ashira simply nudged Ellie over onto her back and eyed to see if the man was watching. She raised the gun. leveling it to Ellie's head. The hammer cocked back, it had a certain finality to its' sound. Like the ineviteable was about to happen. Ellie opened her eyes hazily and tried to move her mouth.

"Just let it happen, friend" Ashira said quietly.

The shot rang out

The bullet missed Ellie. Instead of smashing through her face, it hit the floor right next to her face. Ashira winked and walked out of the cell, dragging Ellie into it, slumping her over to where her back faced the door and window. She closed the door behind her and waited in the hallway, observing the man.

"How did you get in here? What do you want?" She asked, these questions were buring.

The man had began working on the doorway at the end of the corridor, only pausing to hear the gunshot. He turned around, as if to inspect the damage done, though Ashira had already tucked the body away and he hadn't the time to go and inspect the wound. He would trust that a Level 5 Occupant would want to inflict death and destruction on an Agent of the Company. Even if she was quite cute. His only regret was that he had to attack at night and so Hastings would not be here, he would have liked to blow that man's head clean off himself.

He finished his work on the door and took a small step back. He tapped a small button in his palm and the resulting explosion blew the door clean off.
The man that stepped from the smoke and debris did not look at that threatening. He was tall, but thin, with glasses and messy black hair. He was adjusting the cuffs on his suit when he looked over and saw the man and Ashira. He nodded to the man, indicating his thanks, then looked over at Ashira,
"Who, may I ask," He had an English accent, "Are you? And where's that girl?Ellie, I believe her name is." He asked politely.

By now, alarms of all kinds were blaring loudly, warning all agents that something had gone badly wrong.

"Or is it that you sense my power? Yes, can I tell. I see it in your eyes. A slight reflection. What does mine look like? I've always wanted to know."

"Yours?" He downed the contents of the orange juice (a horrible drink, in that no man's land between liquid and solid) then turned to him, seizing him up. His irises went through a number of colors, before settling on a plain black. "Not often I see one as dark as yours."

"Well isn't that nice?" Smith said, frowning as the ground bellow him shook faintly for less than a second "Is there a subway near here?"

Ashira had always wondered who occupied the last cell on the block. Who or what could incite fear in Ellie's heart. Now, she felt the hype was just that, hype. This man seemed unassuming but looks are very deceptive.

"My name is Ashira, another occupant of Level Five, have been for around ten years." Ashira replied, "I took care of Ellie".

There was an awkward silence, "Who are you?" Ashira asked, eyeing up the Englishman.

"Dark is it?" Seems my past has cought up with me." Said Gregori, somewhat slyly. He took a large gulp of orange juice, emptying the carton. "Nice trick with the eyes by the way. Can you change the color conciously or does it just change when observing someone?"

"Who are you?"

"Ah you have dealt with the little Dear already? Shame." The man shrugged, over the noise of the alarms, "I would have liked to see her one last time before I tore her pretty little head from her body. Anyway, Ashira," The man was looking at the door to the hallway outside now,
"All you need to know now is that my name is John. If you want to come with us and taste freedom then you will speak with spoken to and hold your curiousity in check until otherwise commanded. Understood?"

Freedom. That's all she cared about. Getting out of this god forsaken place and getting what she wanted, what she yurned. So, she decided to play John's little game, it didn't matter anyways. She only cared about one thing, getting Hastings.

"Fine, John" Ashira replied, "Let's get out of here then" ashira smiled broadly, freedom was just a stone's throw away.

Meanwhile...

Hastings cleared off the dishes in the sink and rolled his cuffs. Gloria gathered the other dishes. It was indeed a delcious, looks like the Yums wasn't needed. As he washed off a dish, the phone that never left his side rang. He dried off his hands and walked off into the living room.

"This is Hastings...What?!" He exclaimed.

Back at Primatech Paper...

Security alarms buzzed, red lights flashed. The on-duty security monitored the situation in Level Five. The Watch Commander ordered that all the gates be closed and sealed. Heavy, reinforced doors led from Level Five to the others. The whole compound was in lock-down mode. Two incredibly dangerous prisoners were just released by a third individual. No agents with special abilities were in the building and the regular guards were weary to make an entrance into Level Five. So, all they could do was seal them off and wait for back up.

"Get a team down to the entrance to Level Five" The Commander barked, "Is it sealed yet?"

"We're working on it, sir" replied one of them.

"Right then." John smiled and turned to the Thug, "As I cannot use my powers while under the influence of Company pills, I shall rely on you Robert to get us out of here."
The Thug, known as Robert, nodded and gripped both individuals around the waist and pulled them into the shadow in the room. In less than a moment, scarce more than a blink, they were outside, in the shadow of a Bank that had closed for the night.
John took a step forward, quite unpeturbed from his journey and took a deep intake of breath,
"Sweet, sweet air," He smiled and looked at Robert again, "I presume you have arranged accomodation?" He asked. The Thug nodded,
"Follow me," He stated simply, then moved off with them into the New York night. It had been a simple rescue. He had taken out the only person with powers in the building with one stroke and the rest daren't touch him.
It was a simple victory.

"Dark is it?" Seems my past has cought up with me." Said Gregori, somewhat slyly. He took a large gulp of orange juice, emptying the carton. "Nice trick with the eyes by the way. Can you change the color conciously or does it just change when observing someone?"

"You know, I've never tried. I think it's only when I try looking for someone's Aura." He tried for a moment before groaning and shaking his head. "No. It gives me a headache." He balled his hand into a fist and untensed it. Flipping his eyes 'on' always made him... ah, whats the word... hungry.

"Well isn't that nice?" Smith said, frowning as the ground bellow him shook faintly for less than a second "Is there a subway near here?"
"Not that I know of. Although I don't use it much."

"Well isn't that nice?" Smith said, frowning as the ground bellow him shook faintly for less than a second "Is there a subway near here?"

"Not that I know of. Although I don't use it much."

"There's an entrance a few blocks west, although I'm relatively certain that the tunnel does't run under here."

The Guard Commander barked into the telephobe. He just witnessed something unbelieveable. He was certain that the security measures would hold them until back-up arrived, sadly that wasn't the case.

"I want personnel in there, now!" He demanded. Coordinating the effort wasn't easy. Many of their resources were abscent.

The heavy doors slided open and an armed detachment of agents swept down the corridor, ensuring that everything was secured. Accounting for the prisoners and sweeping all other spaces, just to be certain.

"They're gone, sir" Radioed one of the guards, "There's no trace of any of them"

Another one went over to the jarred open cell, seeing Ellie lying on the ground, "We have an agent down! Get a medic over here!' He called out.

Meanwhile...

Hastings excused himself from home, using one of the numerous excuses he's used in the past. Gloria understood the business often demanded her husband to leave. Of course, curiosity always killed the cat. Gloria would often stand at the doorway, watching his car back out of the driveway often wondering what he was really up to.

"Recall all our personnel" Hastings said over the phone, "You know the drill, use our contacts and spread this information to local authorities. Theie powers are still stunted by the drugs so we have a limited window to capture them with minimal collateral damage...I understand, get off your asses and get out there looking for them, they are two level five escapees...Good...Uh-huh...Alright, I have to call The Committee but I'm on my way"

His worst fear was realized. Somehow these two, two of the most dangerous people in Level Five Containment have escaped. Their only chance could be to capture them before those pills wore out. It varies on how long that could take. Long-term usage could give them extra time. There was never a time before where someone escaped from Level Five. Contingency plans were in place but this was different.

Across the City...

Ashira followed them into the New York night. The night air was crisp and cool, offering a welcomed relief from the stale air of those cells. The alley's were devoid of any other people, just trash and steam from vents. It didn't matter, she was free.

"What now?" Ashira asked John, still wondering what his story was.

At Primatech Paper...

Hasting's car screeched to a halt in front of the building. By this time, the other agents were alerted and the building was in lockdown. He darted through the normal part of the building, the warehouse storing all the giant rolls and palates of paper. Men stood guard at the entrance. A medical team was in Level Five, attending to Ellie who suffered some minor injuries. He met with the Watch Commander, chewing him out.

"How did they get out?!" He asked. Hastings looked at the footage and could hardly believe it. Someone materialized from the shadows and knocked out Ellie. Then there was the eery realization that that man came for John. Thee most dangerous occupant of Level 5. If that wasn't bad enough, he released Ashira. From the footage it looked like Ashira shot Ellie, a shocking scene to see. He raced down to Level Five to see Ellie was not dead. He came to realize that Ashira spared her for some reason. The Company Manager for NY was en route.

He knelt down by Ellie's side, "How you doing? What happened here?" His voice softened.

He tried for a moment before groaning and shaking his head. "No. It gives me a headache." He balled his hand into a fist and untensed it. Flipping his eyes 'on' always made him... ah, whats the word... hungry.

"Not that I know of. Although I don't use it much."

"There's an entrance a few blocks west, although I'm relatively certain that the tunnel does't run under here."


Smith placed his hand on Dominic's head for a second and then took it away again, the headache no more than a memory.

Then the claxons inside Primetech Paper rang out and, hearing thier faint cry he said "Now that and the vibrating ground make me think we should get outta here"

Smith placed his hand on Dominic's head for a second and then took it away again, the headache no more than a memory.

Then the claxons inside Primetech Paper rang out and, hearing thier faint cry he said "Now that and the vibrating ground make me think we should get outta here"

"Hey, thats some neat ability you got there." He banged his head into a wall. "But don't interfere with my mind please. I like it the way it is." He heard the klaxons and started. "Well, it was nice meeting you all. We must do this again some time." He ran off down the street, heading back to his apartment. "Try not to fall off anymore buildings now!"

"Adieu." Gregori shouted over his shoulder as he ran down the street. His apartment was too close, he could not return.

As he ran, his thoughts raced. "Can it be?" he thought, "Could that building really be it?"

"What happened?"

"I...I dunno," Ellie shook her head, shivering from the shock of what had happened. She was holding an ice pack to the side of her head, where a dribble of blood ran gently down through her blonde hair,
"I was talking to Ashira about...nothing really, then I saw someone out of the corner of my eye. I tried to stop him but he just materialised behind me and knocked me out. When I came to, Ashira was holding a gun to my head," She shivered at that part, realising just how close she had come to death. If it had been her holding the gun with a Company Agent beneath her, then Ellie probably would have shot the Agent. There was a new respect for Ashira now.

"She didn't shoot me though, she just hid me in one of the cells and left with John." She shook her head, "I'm sorry Hastings," She sighed, "I let them escape."

Elsewhere

"The plan is simple, Dear," John said mildly as he strode confidently through the narrow maze of streets, "I hide until I have regained my powers. When that has been accomplished...well...I guess I shall take it from there" He looked both sides before crossing one of the roads, not heading in any particular direction.

Primatech Paper, NYC...

"It's alright, Ellie" Hastings tried rationalizing the whole situation. Someone managed to infiltrate their numerous layers of security and compromised Level Five, escaping with two highly dangerous prisoners in the matter of minutes. Was it an inside job? Or, was it someone with an extraordinary ability. Out there, roaming the streets were two truly henious people will ill intentions. His mind raced to the reality that his family was in danger as well. Ashira and Hastings had talked numerous times and at several of those times, she overtly threatened his family.

"I will tear your family limb from limb while you watch!" Ashira lashed out once, "You will know the meaning of loss and pain!"

These threats stay with a husband and father. The mere idea of harm coming to ones' family kicked in a natural defensive instinct. Luckily, she had no idea where they lived. Ashira only observed the ring and his demeanour and determined he had a full family, she was dead on.

"We're going to find them, Ellie" Hastings reassured his partner, "We'll bring them back, dead or alive" his words hung in the air.

Somewhere in NYC...

Ashira walked with the group through the narrow alley's of NYC. It was dark out, nearly pitch black with only minimal light sources. This John was full of mystery, as well as his accomplice, Robert. His gift was unique indeed.

"I've been drug free for about two weeks now, my powers should be regained shortly, just a little more time" Ashira responded, "What exactly can you do?" she asked aloud.

"Here you go, miss."

"Thank you."

Alexis smiled cordially, thanking the waiter for delivering her meal. The restaurant, like many other New York restaurants, was pretty crowded around this time. Well, the good ones, at least. That's how you spot good places to eat in New York. Go to the crowded places. She ordered a decent lunch. A sandwich with toasted bread and melted cheese, with a drink. All in all, pretty decent stuff. She wasn't paying attention to anyone else really, and began to eat.

"Bye then" smith said, turning and walking back towards Primetech papers front door, suprised to hear the klaxons getting louder from inside the building. Walking up to one of the guards eh said "Evenin' govna, might oi enquire as to what all this noise is abaat?" he said in his best cockney 'bobby' acent.

"We'll bring them back, dead or alive"

"We don't have a choice," Ellie stood up, feeling slightly dizzy after the attack. The slam to the side of the head had really knocked her cold and now she was struggling to think about what John and Ashira could get up to together. They were the most dangerous criminals in Level 5 and they were both out in the open with an unsuspecting public,
"So where do we go from here?" Ellie asked the obvious question, intent on getting back to duty as soon as possible. Her attacker had even left her pistol behind.

Streets

"I can play chess, I can sleep and I'm quite good at Maths," John replied aloud, not concentrating on the question while Robert just scowled, "I can do many things, Miss Ashira, a great deal many things, but there has always been one that has evaded me. And I now intend to get it. Tell me," He suddenly turned to face her, eyes no longer warm and jovial but cold and menacing, almost hungry,
"What can you do?"